College without the exams: Walton County snowbirds host early registration

Monday

Dec 4, 2017 at 5:17 PMDec 4, 2017 at 5:17 PM

JENNIE McKEON @JennieMnwfdn

MIRAMAR BEACH — If the early bird gets the worm, the early snowbird gets their pick of activities and clubs.

Monday morning, snowbirds drank coffee and ate muffins at Faith Assembly Church Hall during the first early registration for the Walton County Snowbirds Club.

Club Co-President Bruce Blundell of New York, said it was a slow morning — the "big" registration should be Jan. 2 — but the club is expecting about 1,800 members this year.

He said the advantage of registering early with snowbird clubs is that you can sign up for popular activities before they fill up.

Fellow New Yorker snowbirds Gail and Dave Tudman were busy signing up people for beginner ballroom dancing classes. It doesn't matter your experience, Dave promises anyone can be a dancer.

"We have guys tell us all the time, 'I have two left feet,' but we can fix it," he said. "It doesn't matter ... we'll teach you. The class has a lot of benefits including communication, coordination and muscle memory."

Although Dave and and Gail stay in Destin, they choose to be members of the Walton County club because of the activities it offers. But no matter where you sign up, you'll have plenty of opportunities to socialize, Dave said.

"Think college without the exams," he added.

Blundell said there is a strong need of volunteers to run some of the clubs and activities, such as the annual Biloxi trip. He's hoping more people will step up in the coming weeks.

Even outside of the club, snowbirds enjoy each other's company. Blundell said he and other snowbirds will often watch basketball games together. And when they go back up north, the friendships made on the Emerald Coast are not forgotten.

"The people I've met here are some of my closest friends," said Karen Moosekian. "I've never been to there home, and they've never been to mine, but we get to hang out down here."